Anti-War Movies

I saw Schindler’s List when it was released, can’t believe it was 1993, and apart from the slightly laboured points (which I didn’t really notice back then) I think it holds up as the best effort to bring this history to a wider audience.

But I remember hearing an interview by Ralph Fiennes who played Amon Goeth. While he was resting on-set in Poland, wearing the SS uniform of the character he played, an old woman came up to him and said that she thought it was a good thing that the Nazis had done what they did to the Jews in Poland!

The Holocaust is certainly a rich theme for movie-making, not really anti-war as such, more of a sub-category in war-movies.

Off the top of my head I can think of The Pianist (which I didn’t really like), Shoah (which is brilliant if you have ten hours to spare), Playing for Time and Life Is Beautiful (that won three Oscars).

Grave of the Fireflies

Moderator Message

Can we all refrain from off-topic rantings, please?

Thanks

GA

Dear Members,

The French film “A VERY LONG ENGAGEMENT”. War veterans who have served in both WW1 and WW2 have stated WW1 trench warfare was by far the worst. This film shows why in vivid detail.

Jack E. Hammond

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I watched Schindler’s List on DVD last week and was surprised how laboured some of the historical points were, especially from director Steven Speilberg, but I suppose that was for the benefit of the (hopefully) younger members of the audience.

Personally I remember the TV mini-series ‘Holocaust’, that was probably shown on British TV in 1978 or 1979, with great fondness; I was young enough to ‘enjoy’ the action but old enough to appreciate the history lesson.

I’m sure there are many who would disagree with you as to Israel having the ‘best’ foreign policy; annexing of land, walled ghettos, displacement and suppression of indigenous population…..any of that sound familiar?

Yep. Terminal 5.

When dealing with nations that want to wipe you away, their “best” is the only way.

If I, for some odd reason, was forced to pick a side to fight along with in an Arab/Israel war, I know where I’d be.

BBC R4 broadcast the story of how Thomas Keneally came to write the book Schindler’s Ark, on which the film was based. Fascinating stuff.

Keneally was inspired to write the book by Poldek Pfefferberg, a Holocaust survivor. After the war, Pfefferberg had tried on a number of occasions to interest the screen-writers and film-makers he met through his business in a film based on the story of Schindler and his actions in saving Polish Jews from the Nazis, arranging several interviews with Schindler for American television.

In October, 1980 Keneally went into Pfefferberg’s shop in Beverly Hills to buy a briefcase. Keneally had just finished a book signing in Beverly Hills and was on his way home to Australia. Pfefferberg, learning that Keneally was a novelist, showed him his extensive files on Schindler, kept in two cabinets in his back room. After 50 minutes of entreaties, Pfefferberg was finally able to convince Keneally to write the book; and Pfefferberg became an advisor, accompanying Keneally to Poland where they visited Kraków and other sites associated with the Schindler story. Keneally dedicated Schindler’s Ark to Pfefferberg: “who by zeal and persistence caused this book to be written.”

After the publication of Schindler’s Ark in 1982, Pfefferberg worked to persuade Steven Spielberg to film Keneally’s book, using his acquaintance with Spielberg’s mother to gain access.

Moggy

…and was surprised how laboured some of the historical points were, especially from director Steven Speilberg…

He often overstates points, IMHO.
About as subtle as the proverbial bull in the china shop…
He can do good work, but not my favorite director.

I watched Schindler’s List on DVD last week and was surprised how laboured some of the historical points were, especially from director Steven Speilberg, but I suppose that was for the benefit of the (hopefully) younger members of the audience.

Personally I remember the TV mini-series ‘Holocaust’, that was probably shown on British TV in 1978 or 1979, with great fondness; I was young enough to ‘enjoy’ the action but old enough to appreciate the history lesson.

I’m sure there are many who would disagree with you as to Israel having the ‘best’ foreign policy; annexing of land, walled ghettos, displacement and suppression of indigenous population…..any of that sound familiar?

I watched Schindlers last night. A landmark in films IMO. Far from being anti war, it actually justifies war.
It’s never any wonder to me that Israel has the best foriegn policy when it comes to angry arabs next door. A little decorator with a stupid moustache pushed the jews around before, it won’t happen again, from anybody.

But, the films above are just sad stories from Wars. Not actually anti war, or is my preference for sorting out the bad guys clouding something?

Didn’t know there was a difference 😀 😀 😀

Wag the Dog

If you read the book “Bridge Too Far” Browning did have concerns about the operation. It was Monty that pushed it and after Browning saw the plan that’s when he said, “We might be going a bridge too far.” before the drop.

One of the great problems with war movies (anti or whatever) is that they often deviate from the ‘truth’.

If you are referring to ‘General’ Browning then I think I’m right in saying he had the great advantage (for the filmmakers) of being unable to defend himself (as he was dead) and I think I’m also right in saying that the original military advisor to the production resigned in disgust at the treatment of Browning (who he had known personally) by the scrip.

I have ‘A Bridge Too Far’…………

shows what can be done with little/no intel. bad preparation and a General who would not admit that he’s wrong……:mad:

cheers,

-John

Ahh…Ok…I only remember the last episode of the medeval period.

I can recommend the whole of ‘Blackadder Goes Fourth’ but this is the end of the series…

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=acO2xapK698&feature=related

The Odd Angry Shot

[QUOTE=J
I had a co-worker, a black woman, and she was always going on (and on) about Iraq.
I commented jokingly to a friend “That’s the trouble with Vietnam..it gave ALL wars a bad name.”
She overheard that and exploded…”Name one good war”.
“The Civil War” I replied.
She shut up…but I really think she was too stupid to understand the point I made.[/QUOTE]

OH SNAP!! Very good comeback!:diablo:

All Quiet on the Western Front IMO is the best anti-war movie. It doesn’t preach it just shows what those young men went through and makes you think.

No, the last episode in the WW1 series where the cast went ‘over the top’ and were mowed down in a matter of seconds.

The final freeze-frame dissolves into a view of a field of poppies.

That’s the point at which the room suddenly becomes awfully smoky and your eyes begin to water….

Ahh…Ok…I only remember the last episode of the medeval period and that was freaking hilarious:p

Was that the last episode of the first season (where they were in the medeval time?)

No, the last episode in the WW1 series where the cast went ‘over the top’ and were mowed down in a matter of seconds.

The final freeze-frame dissolves into a view of a field of poppies.

That’s the point at which the room suddenly becomes awfully smoky and your eyes begin to water….

Hearts and Minds.